Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of [(S)-[PhCH(CH3)N(CH3)3]][Mn(CH3CN)2/3Cr(ox)3] x (CH3CN)_(solvate), a 2D chiral magnet containing a quaternary ammonium chiral cation.

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a novel oxalate-based bimetallic magnet obtained by using the chiral (S)-trimethyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-ammonium, ((S)-[PhCH(CH3)N(CH3)3](+)), cation as template is reported. This compound can be formulated as [(S)-[PhCH(CH3)N(CH3)3]][Mn(CH3CN)2/3Cr(ox)3] x (CH3CN)_(solvate), and it crystallizes in the chiral trigonal space group P3. It shows a distorted two-dimensional honeycomb structure formed by Mn(II) and Cr(III) ions connected through oxalate anions with [(S)-[PhCH(CH3)N(CH3)3](+) cations and solvent molecules intercalated between the oxalate layers. Two-thirds of the Mn(II) ions of the honeycomb anionic network are heptacoordinated. This compound behaves as a soft ferromagnet with an ordering temperature of 5.6 K.